He's a young infantry officer who, while serving as a 1st Lieutenant in Operation Iraqi Freedom, charged a trench full of Saddam-ites and earned himself a Navy Cross.


Story here:
www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/lookupstoryref/200456162723


My personal opinion is that this guy is cast in the mold of Marines of old like Chesty Puller...

I've spoken to Goatboy and EdSr and they agree that (now) Capt. Chontosh is deserving of an Arfcom "Hometown Hero" rifle.

I spoke to Capt. Chontosh today and he is overwhelmed that we at Arfcom would want to present him with such a gift. I told him it was just a small demonstration of the gratitude we feel for his actions in service to our country.

Now, the only question is, what do we buy for this guy? He says "anything" would be just fine... I'm kinda leaning towards something a little out of the "ordinary"...I mean, this guy has used f/a M16A2's and M4's in combat....would he be "satisfied" with a semi-only copy?

Seriously though....what do you guys think? AR10 in 7.62? One of the new 6.8 or 6.5's? Or a big bore like a 458 SOCOM or .50 Beowulf? Standard irons or optics?

Let's hear your thoughts......oh yeah, and let's hear some pledge$... I think we should do this with personal checks or money orders...I'm getting tired of Paypal, Ebay and their whole anti-gun bs....

Come on Hometown Crew, let's take the lead....I'm posting this here prior to copying/linking to GD so we can show how we do things 'round these here parts...

I'm in for $50 Ah, what the hell, I'll up the ante..$100....who else?

Edited to add: Spoke to the Capt. again last night...He seems to like the AR10.. He is now registered here as "Diesel6" (sp?)...I IM'd SHIVAN and 5Sub so he could get answers to -10 related questions from guys a lot smarter than me....OK...so we've decided on caliber, and I think he likes  the 16" carbine....how should we dress it up?


Also, thank you to all that responded so far, both public and private...your generosity gets me choked up...really!


UPDATE: Gentlemen, you can mail Postal Money Orders, Bank Checks, other certified funds or even (god help your ass if they bounce) personal checks to:

Mark J. Volpe
C/O Bikes4Tykes Inc.
3 Rye Ridge Plaza, Box 151
Rye Brook, NY 10573


Thanks again to everyone who has contributed, you're my kind of guys...Also, this thread will be linked to the TEAM Forum this afternoon to allow "outside NY/NJ" contributions. I know we wanted to keep it "local" but word has spread and I just can't see telling friends that they "can't" get in on this...Besides, more $ = More goodies.

On that note, I think I have located a SEBR carbine that a member has decided to sell...that has a bit more panache than just any ol' AR10, plus saves me the trouble of trying to talk Mark Westrom into doing us a "one-off".

If any of you have NIB items that you've been trying to sell, or wish to donate, or have any contacts with some of the Industry Partners here, feel free to speak up.

I'm thinking a couple of 20 rd mags would be nice, a single-point sling, a quality case, etc.

Let's hear your thoughts...

Hey Dog,  

If I may be so bold, I would love to see this STAY HERE, given he is a NY resident.  I read this story back when it first came to light and I was impressed to say the least.  I'm willing to make a substantial financial commitment to this and do whatever leg work I can to help make it a reality.  Let's see what we can pull together here before 'going public', whaddya say?

As to what it should be, I've got a suggestion that I will send to you via IM before posting it here.  Everybody else - please stay tuned!

IM sent...

IM received...reply sent.  The rest of you slugs have 24 hours to make a show of Hometown Solidarity before I kick this out to the cheap seats...  Let's see if we can do this on our own.

The only word that come to mind are..HOLY SHIT!

"He then directed his driver into the enemy trench, where he exited his vehicle and began to clear the trench with an M16A2 service rifle and 9 millimeter pistol. His ammunition depleted, Chontosh, with complete disregard for his safety, twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his ferocious attack.

When a Marine following him found an enemy rocket propelled grenade launcher, Chontosh used it to destroy yet another group of enemy soldiers.

When his audacious attack ended, he had cleared over 200 meters of the enemy trench, killing more than 20 enemy soldiers and wounding several others"

An American Hero like so many of our boys fighting overseas.

This one hits close to home and I'm proud to be a part of this. Mark has totally run with this and has once again elevated himself to me. Thank you so much Mark, I'm in for whatever is needed personally and you know the site is completely behind this.

Guys, this is a chance to honor a local hero in a time when politics are trying to downplay their role. There are so many out there fighting for this country who earn our respect day in and day out. We can't honor them all with gifts, so let's make our thanks shine as much as the medal he earned and let's make sure all our troops know we support them.

Quoted: An American Hero like so many of our boys fighting overseas. This one hits close to home and I'm proud to be a part of this. Mark has totally run with this and has once again elevated himself to me. Thank you so much Mark, I'm in for whatever is needed personally and you know the site is completely behind this.

You guys that know me and how the verb "to Helldog" a post got started....read the above and understand how mightily I am struggling to resist temptation Just look at the possibilities! Only the serious nature of this thread forces me to resist.


Well, that and what would happen to my access if I screwed with the Main Man!

Hey guys, even $5 increases the pot...  Any little thing will help!

Mark - As we discussed, I am still in for whatever you need.  Just say the word!

[salute]

Quoted: Florida reporting in.

Thanks Billy....Word spreads when good deeds are afoot...

Stay tuned for updates.....

Quoted: Is there a chance we could get him to Gunstock for the presentation?

He's going back to Iraq for Round Two in early September (can't keep a good Marine away from the action), so Gunstock is a no-go.

His wife is having  a baby tomorrow so I imagine things are a little busy in the Chontosh house about now.....Hopefully, he'll be able to take leave and visit family in Rochester in late August, at which time he'll meet the Family Avila and be welcomed into the extended Arfcom Family.

I don't know how "public" the presentation will be, since the family may be a bit weary of (and LEERY of) the press by now, but I'm pretty sure we can arrange a gathering of members for dinner at the very least.  

OR, we could all just swarm the new Avila Family Compound and pitch tents.

I just saw this.  How amazingly worthy.  I have read his story many times, but had no clue he was "local."  A check will go out shortly.  Thanks for ramrodding this, Mark.  Please give him and his family my best.  

Best wishes for the new little Marine and Mommie.  

Quoted: I just saw this.  How amazingly worthy.  I have read his story many times, but had no clue he was "local."  A check will go out shortly.  Thanks for ramrodding this, Mark.  Please give him and his family my best.   Best wishes for the new little Marine and Mommie.

Hey now...couldn't you have made a better choice of verb?

Quoted: Who do I make my check out to?

Why, the asshole whose name appears above the listed address...Did you land on your head AGAIN???? Wear a helmet for gosh sake!

A check will be going out in the morning.

OK, what kind of optic did you want for this thing?

FMJ,
I was thinking of an Aimpoint since the Capt. mentioned that is what they  use....What can you guys tell me about these types as I am pretty "optic-challenged"....

What models are available....what mounts?

How much $ are we talking?

I would definitely reccomend we deal with C4iGrant on the Aimpoint, he's one of the good guys...  There are really two models we'd be looking at - M2 and ML2.  The cheaper is going to be 3-something, but I will get a price from Grant and send you privately as it will be an 'unadvertised' price.  The primary difference (I believe) is night vision settings vs. no night vision settings.

Also, there is a FANTASTIC deal in the EE right now on Starlight cases.  I ordered one myself it was so damn good.  $100 for a case that retails for almost $250.  It was $123 with UPS and paypal to my place so should be about the same to you.  If you want to order it and provide your shipping info, I will donate one of these cases.  (send you the money)  Let me know.  Here is the ad:  Starlight Cases

Quoted: You should be receiveing an envelope from me tomorrow.

Screw dat! I wants a check!

Thanks to all....

[totallyjoking]You know the have this new Aimpoint type scope made by some Japanese company....

sorry couldn't help it.

Quoted: However I want my Team AR 15 Avatar back, it's been gone for 6 days WTF

Everyone else's seems to be working fine--upload it again.  That will likely fix it.  

As I posted in Team--check mailed today.  This guy is damn near another Sgt. York--yes I read the book--and very deserving of this.  NICE gesture, Mark.  

Quoted: Quoted: [totallyjoking]You know the have this new Aimpoint type scope made by some Japanese company.... sorry couldn't help it. Can they lock Staff accounts too? ETA:  Helldog, funds have been delayed, and mailed out today or Monday!

If he does the same in the Optics forum, I'll find a way.  (Striker locked mine a while back "just to see if he could" )  

Diesel,

Congratulations on the baby. Glad that Mom and Son are well and home with you.

I'll just say I'll talk to you later regarding details, as since you've posted and revealed yourself, I think the guys are going to come out of the woodwork to add their own comments.

Edited to add: Two comments, THIS should have been your first post rather than arguing "Aimpoint vs. Eotech" in the optics forum...REAL MEN go with irons... and 2) I'll let you get away with "CA" as your location rather than "NY" since you don't really have a choice in the matter.